I was asked in a private message about the difference between the Ace of Spades and the Five of Diamonds in my way of reading playing cards, since both seem to signify change. This is a nice question, so I thought I’d write an article about it. Maybe I’ll write other comparative articles if I feel inspired to.
First off, let’s start with two obvious facts. The Ace of Spades belongs to the Suit of Spades, which is the most negative in the deck. Spades have very few redeeming qualities. They represent the dark side of existence, pain, grief and sorrow. The Suit of Diamonds, on the other hand, is neutral, with some positive undertones. It is a symbol of energy, change, progress. It is connected to technology and science, to money, wealth, intelligence. Broadly, it shows impulses and new impulses. This fact alone indicates that the Ace of Spades must have more negative connotations than the Five of Diamonds.
Furthermore, the Ace of Spades is, well, an ace. Aces have a powerful impact on any reading, as they can show the manifestation of new currents of destiny, new life phases, etc. They indicate the beginning of something. Even when they don’t, they are still very dominant cards, and we must always pay close attention to them. Fives, on the other hand, are roughly in the middle of the sequence, so the change they indicate is more akin to a transition within the same sequence or current of events.
This is, of course, somewhat vague and needs to be understood within the context of each reading. However, when we combine the suit with the number, we do have a general picture of the Ace of Spades as a very drastic card, whereas the Five of Diamonds, unless supported by drastic cards, tends to show a smoother transition, which is also less all-encompassing.
There is something else to take into account. Calling the Ace of Spades the card of change is somewhat reductive, as if we were trying to neutralize it. The Ace of Spades is, for the most part, a negative card. One of the ways my teacher called it, in addition to ‘the Death card’ was also ‘a thorn in the heart‘ though I don’t remember if I talked about this in the post. Perhaps I, too, have been guilty of playing it down.
A thorn in the heart is something that makes us suffer beyond words. It symbolizes grief, bereavement, sometimes even trauma. Even when followed by positive cards, the Ace of Spades represents painful changes that take a toll on our psyche, changes we are likely to perceive as some kind of great loss. The somewhat sterile concept of ‘change’ pales in comparison to this description.
The Five of Diamonds has, by itself, none of these connotations. It shows transition in the most neutral sense possible. For instance, when found next to the Ace of Hearts, i.e., the house, the Five of Diamonds can show renovations or changing the place of some piece of furniture, depending on the accompanying cards. The Ace of Spades next to the House can show grief in the family or coming from the family, and if it does indicate change, it is more likely to indicate an eviction or an unwanted change of residence.
Again, this is rather vague: we need to understand the cards within the context of a concrete reading, but by and large that’s my experience.
(Note: this is a collection of the meanings attributed to the cards by some occultists in the past centuries. It does not reflect my own study or opinion of the cards. It is only meant as a quick comparative reference as I develop my own take.)
The King of Coins or King of Pentacles from the Builders of the Adytum (BOTA) tarot deck
Paul Foster Case (and Ann Davies)
The time period is from the beginning of the last decanate of Sagittarius to the end of the second d ecanate of Capricorn, De cember 12 to January 9. This period combines the rulerships of the Sun, Saturn and Venus . Well-Dignified: the ability to see the workings of Divine Law in the phenomena of the physical plane – thus rulership. In divination, a dark man, friendly to the Querent, practical, steady and reliable. He is good at the practical application of ideas and theories. Things tend to prosper and increase under his direction. He is slow to anger, but furious when aroused. Ill-Dignified: good theoretical insight into the workings of Divine Law, but inability to apply it to everyday experiences. In divination, a man selfish and materialistic. Such a man could have some power to solidify evil forces and express them but is nevertheless somewhat stupid. (From the Oracle of Tarot course)
A. E. Waite
The figure calls for no special description. The face is rather dark, suggesting also courage, but somewhat lethargic in tendency. The bull’s head should be noted as a recurrent symbol on the throne. The sign of this suit is represented throughout as engraved or blazoned with the pentagram, typifying the correspondence of the four elements in human nature and that by which they may be governed. In many old Tarot packs this suit stood for current coin, money, deniers. I have not invented the substitution of pentacles and I have no special cause to sustain in respect of the alternative. But the consensus of divinatory meanings is on the side of some change, because the cards do not happen to deal especially with questions of money. Divinatory Meanings: Valour, realizing intelligence, business and normal intellectual aptitude, sometimes mathematical gifts and attainments of this kind; success in these paths. Reversed: Vice, weakness, ugliness, perversity, corruption, peril. (From The Pictorial Key to the Tarot)
Aleister Crowley
(Note: Crowley and the Golden Dawn swapped around King and Knight. This is in part true of Waite as well.) The Knight of Disks represents the fiery part of Earth, and refers in particular to the phenomena of mountains, earthquakes, and gravitation; but it also represents the activity of Earth regarded as the producer of Life. He rules from the 21st degree of Leo to the 20th degree of Virgo, and is thus concerned greatly with agriculture. This warrior is short and sturdy in type. He is clothed in great solidity of plate armour; but his helmet, which is crested with the head of a stag, is thrown back, for at the moment his function is entirely confined to the production of food. For this reason he is armed with a flail. The disk which he bears, moreover, is very solid; it represents nutrition. These characteristics are borne out by his horse; a shire horse, solidly planted on all four feet, as was not the case with the other Knights. He rides through the fertile land; even the distant hills are cultivated fields.
Those whom he symbolizes tend to be dull, heavy and preoccupied with material things. They are laborious and patient, but would have little intellectual grasp even of matters which concern them most closely. Their success in these is due to instinct, to imitation of Nature. They lack initiative; their fire is the smouldering fire of the process of growth.
If ill-dignified, these people are hopelessly stupid, slavish, quite incapable of foresight even in their own affairs, or of taking an intelligent interest in anything outside them. They are churlish, surly, and jealous (in a dull sort of way) of what they instinctively realize is the superior state of others; but they have not the courage or intelligence to better themselves. Yet they are always irritably meddling about petty matters; they interfere with, and inevitably spoil, whatever comes their way.
In the Yi King, the fiery part of Earth is represented by the 62nd hexagram, Hsiao Kwo. This is as important as its complement, Kung Fu (see under Prince of Cups); it is a “big Khan”, the trigram of Luna with each line doubled. But it is also suggestive of the Geomantic figure Conjunctio, Mercury in Virgo, corresponding very closely indeed with the Fire of Earth attribution in the Qabalistic system.
To the Chinese sages, moreover, the shape of the figure gave the idea of a bird. The meaning is, accordingly, modified by human influence of the more frivolous and irresponsible kind, Shakespeare’s “little wanton harlotry”, the French cynic’s “Souvent femme vane”, and the fickle mob of Coriolanus; indeed, of History itself. But Mercury in Virgo symbolizes Intelligence (and even creative Idea) applied to Agriculture; and this (once more!) harmonizes perfectly with the Ten of Disks, which is ruled by this Planet and this Sign. This adds to the superabundant mass of proof that this whole system of symbolism is based upon Realities of Nature, as understood by the materialist School of Science-if such a school survives in some obscure and obsolescent University! Such coherence, such introverted exfoliation, cannot be the chance parallelism of the dreams of nebulous philosophies.
The character described by this card is therefore exceeding complex yet admirably well-knit; but its dangers are indicated by the symbols of Luna and the bird. In the happiest cases, the qualities thus indicated will be romance and imagination; but overweening ambition, the pursuit of Ignis Fatuus, superstition, and the tendency to waste time in idle dreaming, are perils all too frequently found in such sons of the soil. Thomas Hardy has painted many admirable portraits of the type. Ill-starred indeed and black with bile are those who have profaned the Sacred Fire, not enkindling Earth to new, more copious, more varied life, but peering in deceptive moonlight, turning their faces from their mother Earth. (From the Book of Thoth)
AI-generated King of Pentacles or King of Coins illustration
Golden Dawn’s Book T
A DARK Winged Warrior with winged and crowned helmet: mounted on a light brown horse. Equipment as the Knight of Wands. The winged head of a stag or antelope as a crest. Beneath the horse’s feet is fertile land with ripened corn. In one hand he bears a sceptre surmounted by a hexagram: in the other a Pentacle like that of the Zelator Adeptus Minor. Unless very well dignified he is heavy, dull, and material. Laborious, clever, and patient in material matters. If ill dignified, he is avaricious, grasping, dull, jealous; not very courageous, unless assisted by other symbols. Rules from above 20 Degree of Leo to 20 Degree of Virgo.
Etteilla
Dark man. Upright. This card, as far as the medicine of the spirit is concerned, means, in its natural position: Dark Man, Trader, Shopkeeper, Banker, Stockbroker, Calculator, Speculator. – Physics, Geometry, Mathematics, Science. – Teacher, Professor. Reversed. Vice, Defect, Weakness, Defective, Defective conformation, Deformed nature. – Abnormality, Ugliness, Deformity. – Corruption. – Stench.
(Note: this is a collection of the meanings attributed to the cards by some occultists in the past centuries. It does not reflect my own study or opinion of the cards. It is only meant as a quick comparative reference as I develop my own take.)
The King of Wands from the Builders of the Adytum (BOTA) Tarot
Paul Foster Case (and Ann Davies)
When well aspected the powers listed above are expressed by a personality represented by the King of Wands. However these same qualities when overly strong or intense can express as cruelty, oppression, ostentation and pride. Thus in Tarot divination, besides the basic principles expressed by Ab, the Father, and Yod, the Creative principle, the King of Wands has these specific meanings: Well Dignified: an ardent, impulsive, influential man; one possessed of authority and strongly marked by the quality of leadership; somewhat hasty in temper but just, generous and friendly. lll Dignified: the same general type but cruel, ill-natured, intolerant and probably unfriendly to the querent. (From the Oracle of Tarot course)
A. E. Waite
The physical and emotional nature to which this card is attributed is dark, ardent, lithe, animated, impassioned, noble. The King uplifts a flowering wand, and wears, like his three correspondences in the remaining suits, what is called a cap of maintenance beneath his crown. He connects with the symbol of the lion, which is emblazoned on the back of his throne. Divinatory Meanings: Dark man, friendly, countryman, generally married, honest and conscientious. The card always signifies honesty, and may mean news concerning an unexpected heritage to fall in before very long. Reversed: Good, but severe; austere, yet tolerant. (From The Pictorial Key to the Tarot)
Aleister Crowley
(Note: Crowley and the Golden Dawn swap around King and Knight. This is in part true of Waite as well.) The Knight of Wands represents the fiery part of Fire; he rules from the 21St degree of Scorpio to the 20th degree of Sagittarius. He is a warrior in complete armour. On his helmet for a crest he wears a black horse. In his hand he bears a flaming torch; a flame also in his mantle; and upon the flames does he ride. His steed is a black horse leaping.
The moral qualities appropriate to this figure are activity, generosity, fierceness, impetuosity, pride, impulsiveness, swiftness in unpredictable actions. If wrongly energized, he is evil-minded, cruel, bigoted and brutal. He is in either case ill-fitted to carry on his action; he has no means of modifying it according to circumstances. If he fails in his first effort, he has no resource.
In the Yi King, the fiery part of Fire is represented by the 51st hexagram, Kan. The signification there given is entirely in accordance with the doctrine of the Tarot, but great emphasis is laid on the startling, perilous, and revolutionary character of the events cognate. The Querent is advised to be apprehensive, yet cool, resolute and energetic: to beware of untimely action, but to go forward with tense confidence in his own ability.
All these correspondences of the Yi King are to be studied in that book (S.B.E. vol. XVI) and reference is here made to the text when important passages are too long to be conveniently quoted. (From the Book of Thoth)
Oddly interesting AI-generated King of Wands illustration
Golden Dawn’s Book T
A KINGLY Figure with a golden, winged crown, seated on a chariot. He has large white wings. One wheel of his chariot is shewn. He wears corslet and buskins of scale armour decorated with a winged lion’s head, which symbol also surmounts his crown. His chariot is drawn by a lion. His arms are bare, save for the shoulder-pieces of the corslet, and he bears a torch or fire-wand, somewhat similar to that of the Zelator Adeptus Minor. Beneath the chariot are flames, some waved, some salient. Swift, strong, hasty; rather violent, yet just and generous; noble and scorning meanness. If ill dignified — cruel, intolerant, prejudiced and ill natured.
Etteilla
Country man Upright. This card, as far as the medicine of the spirit is concerned, means, in its natural position: Country Man, Good and Stern Man, Well Intentioned Man, Honest Man. – Conscience, Probity. – Farmer, Worker, Cultivator. Reversed. Good and stern man – Indulgence, Severity, Forbearance, Condescension.
(Note: this is a collection of the meanings attributed to the cards by some occultists in the past centuries. It does not reflect my own study or opinion of the cards. It is only meant as a quick comparative reference as I develop my own take.)
The King of Cups from the Builders of the Adytum (BOTA) Tarot
Paul Foster Case (and Ann Davies)
The time period is from the beginning of the last decanate of Gemini to the second decanate of Cancer, June 11 to July 12, combining the rulers hips of Saturn and Uranus, the Moon and Mars. Well Dignified: a man subtle and secretive, crafty, psychic, artistic; of strong, violent desires but calm exterior. He is friendly to the Querent and really wise. Ill Dignified: evil and merciless and likely to be attracted by occult studies promising power or knowledge for the satisfaction of desire and control of others; without purification of character. Usually fair-haired with blue eyes. (From the Oracle of Tarot course)
A. E. Waite
He holds a short sceptre in his left hand and a great cup in his right; his throne is set upon the sea; on one side a ship is riding and on the other a dolphin is leaping. The implicit is that the Sign of the Cup naturally refers to water, which appears in all the court cards. Divinatory Meanings: Fair man, man of business, law, or divinity; responsible, disposed to oblige the Querent; also equity, art and science, including those who profess science, law and art; creative intelligence. Reversed: Dishonest, double-dealing man; roguery, exaction, injustice, vice, scandal, pillage, considerable loss. (From The Pictorial Key to the Tarot)
Aleister Crowley
(Note: Crowley and the Golden Dawn swap around King and Knight. This is in part true of Waite as well.) The Knight of Cups represents the fiery part of Water, the swift passionate attack of rain and springs; more intimately, Water’s power of solution. He rules the Heavens from the 21st degree of Aquarius to the 20th degree of Pisces. He is clothed in black armour furnished with bright wings which, together with the leaping attitude of his white charger, indicates that he represents the most active aspect of Water. In his right hand he bears a cup from which issues a crab, the cardinal sign of Water, for aggressiveness. His totem is the peacock, for one of the stigmata of water in its most active form is brilliance. There is here also some reference to the phenomena of fluorescence.
The characteristics of the person signified by this card are nevertheless mostly passive, in accordance with the Zodiacal attribution. He is graceful, dilettante, with the qualities of Venus, or a weak Jupiter. He is amiable in a passive way. He is quick to respond to attraction, and easily becomes enthusiastic under such stimulus; but he is not very enduring. He is exceedingly sensitive to external influence, but with no material depth in his character.
When the card is ill dignified, he is sensual, idle and untruthful. Yet with all this he possesses an innocence and purity which are the essence of his nature. But he is, on the whole, so superficial that it is hard to reach this depth. “His name is writ in water.”
In the Yi King, the fiery part of Water is represented by the 54th Hexagram, Kwei Mei. The commentary is singularly obscure, and somewhat sinister. It deals with the difficulties of rightly mating such opposites as fire and water (compare the Queen of Wands; but in that case Water is the calming and modulating influence, while here it is Fire which creates trouble.) Swiftness and violence ill suit a character naturally placid; it is rare indeed to meet with a person who has succeeded in harmonizing these conflicting elements. He tends to mismanage all his affairs; and unless sheer good fortune attend him, his whole career will be an unbroken record of failure and disaster. Often his mental “civil war” ends in schizophrenia or melancholy madness. The abuse of stimulants and narcotics may precipitate the catastrophe. (from The Book of Thoth)
Creepy-ass AI-generated King of Cups illustration
Golden Dawn’s Book T
A BEAUTIFUL, winged, youthful Warrior with flying hair, riding upon a white horse, which latter is not winged. His general equipment is similar to that of the Knight of Wands, but upon his helmet, cuirass and buskins is a peacock with opened wings. He holds a cup in his hand, bearing the sigil of the scale. Beneath his horse’s feet is the sea. From the cup issues a crab. Graceful, poetic, Venusian, indolent, but enthusiastic if roused. Ill dignified, he is sensual, idle and untruthful. He rules the heavens from above 20 Degree of Aquarius to 20 Degree of Pisces, thus including the greater part of Pegasus. (from Book T)
Etteilla
Blond man Upright. This card, as far as the medicine of the spirit is concerned, means, in its natural position: Blond Man, Honest Man, Probity, Equity, Art, Science. Reversed. Man occupying a good position, Distinguished man, Honest man. – Dishonest man. – Exaction, Concussion, Injustice, Brigand, Thief, Dissimulator. – Vice, Corruption, Scandal.
As I have a mind to start talking about Tarot in the very near future, I wanted to start by sharing the main meanings I apply to the major trumps. These are just basic guidelines, as the majors have almost no bounds, so this list is not exhaustive. The meanings I use are not especially weird, and they tend to be very practical.
The Fool Instability, Untrustworthiness, Freedom, Unpredictability, Lack of ties or bonds, Irresponsibility, Innocence, Lack of foresight, Lack of planning, Doing things on the spur of the emoment, Surprise, Irregularity, Chaos, Things and situations that are not well-defined or that are not clearly settled, Nothing, Nothingness, Mistake, Error, Oversight, Mental issues, Originality, Creativity, Deep feelings in love that could be a flash in the pan because they are unsupported by effort, Unpreparedness, Going on foot, Walking
The Juggler / Conman / Magician Beginning, Child, Son or daughter, New, Small, Initiative, Doing, Action, Work, Job, Play, Game, Playing, Studying, Youth, Competence, Ability, Adroitness, Project, Being aware, Doing by hand, Creativity, Charm, Fascinating, Tricks, A thief or con artist, Charlatan, Lie, Things done with good or evil intent (depending on the other cards) but not by mistake, Things that are planned, Immaturity, Tantrums, A charmer
The Popess / High Priestess A mature woman, A serious woman, precise, knowledgeable, reserved, A wife, A mother, An older sister, A female boss, A female doctor or professional, A woman with a degree, Conscience, Spirituality, Study, Knowledge, Deep understanding, Faith, Someone who knows what to say and what not to say, Silence, Reserve, Secret, with bad cards a superficial floozy, A gossip, Dogmatic, Strict, Ignorant, Inimical
The Empress A younger woman, Active, Creative, Communicative, Unmarried or, if married, still very much in love, Action, Abundance, Love, A younger sister, A young mother, A daughter, A coworker, An employee, A boss that works together with her employees rather than staying shut in her office, Well-being, Sex, Fascination, Beauty, Expansion, Amplification, Increase, Growth, With bad cards can be wastefulness, etc., Spring, The Earth element
The Emperor A younger man, Active, Creative, Dynamic, Unmarried, In love, Son, Young father, Brother (younger), Action, Law, Politics, Durability, Willpower, An active boss, With great directive ability, A coworker, An Employee, Managing, Organizing (in general, he is the male counterpart to the Empress), with negative cards can be tyrannical or a young man in difficulty, etc.
The Pope / Hierophant / High Priest Broadly the male counterpart to the Popess: Older man, Father, Boss, Older brother, Religion, An interpreter, A communicator, An intermediary, Wisdom, Faithfulness, A teacher, A guide, Responsible, Knowledgeable, Trustworthy, A ritual of some kind (religious, magical, etc.), A man with a degree, A man wearing a uniform or serving some official function, An agency
Love / The Lover / The Lovers Love, Attraction, Harmony, Desire, Preference, Being attracted to one thing, one person, one option, etc. A deal, A handshake, Compromise, Commitment, Getting along, Affinity, Vocation, Inspiration, The family, A group of people, A meeting, appointment, date, etc. The public, Sociability, The social aspect of life, A partnership, Something done with other people, Beauty, Esthetics, etc.
The Chariot Movement, Activity, Advancement toward a goal, Journey, Travel, Car, Means of transport, Going, Being determined, Going in one particular direction, Career, A public uniform, Audacity, Overcoming obstacles, Moving beyond difficulties, Attacking or tackling and, with positive cards, Winning, Victory, Recognition, Ambition, Self-discipline, Doing, Acting, Enterprise, Knowing where you want to go and going, Enthusiasm, Quickness, Velocity (for good or ill)
Justice Justice, Fairness, Equilibrium, Stability, Contract, Union, Marriage or living together as an established family, Legal and bureaucratic issues, Buying and selling, The law, Tests, Evaluations, Documents, Papers, The middle way, Half, Halving, Cutting in half, Evaluating the pros and cons, Developing contacts, Creating ties with others, with negative cards it can show separations, injustice, etc.
The Hermit One, Lonely, Unique, Old, Past, A long time, Slow, An older person (60+), Difficulties, Slowing down, Lack of communication, Secret, Moving behind the scenes, away from the public eye, Serious, A master or teacher, Weakening, becoming old, weak, extinguished, Spirituality, High culture, Study, Research, Not kidding around, No sense of humor, Being dependable, Taking very small steps, Deep reflection and thought, A premeditator, Cold places, Places of retreat, Solitude, Not wanting contact, Stinginess, Marginalized, With negative cards can show not being self-reliant, and by extension also being hooked on drugs or alcohol, Inability to communicate, Winter
The Wheel of Fortune Transition, Change, The regular flow of life, Luck, Opportunity, Success, Money, Gambling, Winning, A trip, Travel, Change of place, Situations that resurface at intervals, On and off, The unblocking of a stagnant situation for better or worse, Protection from above, Fatality, Changeability, Instability, Small animals, Changing route, Opening of avenues, Partial, Sometimes, Part-time, etc.
Strength / Fortitude Strength, Power, Influence, Intelligence, Being capable of steering the situation, Overcoming, Willpower, Stability, Strengthening, Manipulation, Savoir faire, Control, A situation that is strongly desired, Self-control, Discipline, Sport, Physical movement, Materialization, The signing of papers (materializing their effect), Knowing how to resist temptation, Intelligence, Rationality, Wild animals, with negative cards it can show impotence, anger, etc.
The Hanged Man Suffering, Blockage, Stillstand, Sacrifice, Confinement, Prison, Hospital, Not acting, Being still, A bond of some kind, with good cards it can show a positive bond (e.g., being committed to someone or something), Down, South, Below, Digging, Falling, Broken, Rotten, Suffering, Impotence, Inability
Death Death, Sharp change, Mortality, Ending, A short trip, Elimination, Unavoidability, Something that cannot be walked back, Point of no return, Destruction, Fatality, Danger, Discouragement, Gloomy thoughts, Sadness, Inability to accept change, Corruption, Alteration, Sharp instruments
Temperance Temperance, Moderation, Patience, Waiting, Tolerance, Adaptability, Giving and receiving, Avoiding extremes, Meeting halfway, Purity, Clean, Cleaning, Honesty, Angels, Spirituality, Protection, Gentleness, Respect, Consideration, Sincerity, Truthfulness, Male and female together, Mixing, Two in one, Duality, Education, Health, Healing, Conciliation, Inaction, Lack of activity, Indolence, Unemployment, Autumn
The Devil Evil, Antagonist, Opposition, Obstacle, Force, Energy, Great power, Magic, Strategy, Cunning, Being in chains, Strong chemistry, Fatal attraction, Great business, Big corporations, Stress, Enmity, Being very worried, Being forced to do something, Dictatorship, Subjugation, Vice, Sin, Addiction, Excess, Darkness, Dark, Blood, Illegality, Crime, Swindle, Jealousy, Possessiveness, Sexual attraction, Sex, Betrayal, Cheating
The Tower A place, A home, A building of some kind, Explosions, Explosive energies, Fire, Crumbling down, Ending, Closure, Departure from the old, Destruction, Crisis, Loss of name, Fragility, Things that suddenly don’t seem as strong as they used to be, Boldness, Anger, Sudden onrush,
The Star / The Stars Hope, Future, Serenity, Things clearing up, Truthfulness, Honesty, Purity, Art, Beauty, Gift, The Air element, Wind, Sky, Above, Over, Up, High-mindedness, Idealism, Promises, Guidance, Inspiration, Meditation, Harmony, Solution, Positive ending close at hand, Fulfillment of wishes, Pregnancy, Generosity, Shooting for the stars, Optimism, The soul, An investment, Influx of money, Getting back dividends or money you loaned, etc.
The Moon The night, Darkness, Silence, Not talking, Disappearing, Secret, Falsehood, Lies, Keeping in the dark, Water, Lake, Sea, Ocean, Dampness, Fantasy, Intuition, Mother, Mom, Maternity, Femininity, Clairvoyance, Influence on the world or on people, Worry, Preoccupation, Sadness, Disappointment, Depression, Gloominess, Refusal, Saying no, Negativity, Changeability, Inconsistency, The realm of shadows and of the dead, Mary mother of God and other lunar entities
The Sun The day, Light, Clarity, Visibility, Intelligence, Father, Fatherhood, Manly energy, Twins, Clarity, Truth, Discovering, Discovery, Finding, Clarifying, Explaining, Reaching the truth of the matter, Rationality, Logic, Experts, Knowledgeable people, News, Novelty, Renewal, Beginning, Gold, Money, Wealth, Success, Heat, Warmth, Love, Feelings, Happiness, Faithfulness, Sincerity, Glory, Visibility, Success, Self-confidence, Summer, Summery or hot places (beaches, etc.), Poetry, Literature, The realm of the living, Life, Jesus and other solar entities
Judgement / The Angel Information, News, Letters, Calls, Communication, Emails, Sociability, Social contacts, Contacts in general, Announcements, Inspiration, Feeling called, Leaving the old life behind, Coming out of the old, Renewal, Return, Reconciliation (but with negative cards definitive ending), Healing (but with negative cards it can signal death), A definitive turning point, Family members, Music, Hearing
The World Everything, All, Total, Full, Filled, Full-time, Fat, Obese, The Whole, Complete, Large, Big, God, Totality, The Soul of the World, Paradise, A situation that is complete in itself, such as a full family, a marriage or stable partnership (usually one that already exists), A company or firm, Glory, A wreath, A ring, Completion of a project, Completion of a journey (e.g., graduating, tying the knot, etc.), The querent’s country, A country in general (with some other cards a foreign country and foreign lands in general), A city or the querent’s city, The world out there, A perfect picture, A picture or image in general, The population, Masses, Crowds
In many card reading systems, the appearance of a court cart is enough to make the reader panic. This is partly because there is no fudging with real people: they are there in flesh and blood, so if you botch the interpretation, it’s gonna show.
It’s hard to place people cards in the querent’s life. But there are some tricks that can help us. These are rules of thumb, and need to be applied flexibley. Be sensible and reasonable. If something doesn’t make sense for whatever reason, don’t say it: if it doesn’t make sense in divination it doesn’t make sense in real life, and vice versa. Leave space for some intuition as well.
In general, we know that the Club court cards represent the two querents. In general, the Club court card of the opposite sex represents the significant other for straight querents (for gay querents it’s the Heart court card of the same sex, while the other Club card becomes an important figure who is close to the querent or will have an important role)
Often, Heart cards represent people the querent already knows as they have a close bond with them, shown by the Heart suit. However, if the cards surrounding them show newsness or being unknown, then the Heart suit represents that they are good to the querent.
Diamond and Spade figures may or may not be known. If they are surrounded by Hearts, they are more likely to have a close relationship with the querent, although Spades surrounded by Hearts still show a problematic relationship. Surrounding Clubs suggest a more distant relationship, while Diamonds and Spades suggest the relationship is purely transactional or even hostile (in the case of Spades.)
When two court cards show up next to each other, they are related in some way. Related doesn’t necessarily mean that they are relatives, but that they know each other and have already interacted in the past. When the two cards come up with some other cards between them, we need to pay attention to the cards that separate them. If these separating cards describe a type of relationship, they simply describe their interaction. if they describe happenings, then it may be that the two people don’t know each other yet.
A court card next to the Ace of Hearts is usually a member of the household. A court card next to the Two of Hearts is usually a relative, but usually not a sibling or parent. Obviously, a court card next to the Eight of Clubs is a colleague, and so on.
Here’s an example. The acquaintance of a friend asked me once if she would find a new boyfriend. I knew nothing about her.
K♣ – 6♣ – Q♣ – 5♠ – 10♠ – 2♦ – J♥
It is patently clear that this person is already in a committed relationship: the King of Clubs shows up at the beginning. He and the Queen do not interact directly, because their court cards don’t touch. However, the card that separates them, the Six of Clubs, represents the type of relationship they have: a tired one. This makes the Queen feel confined and unwell (Five of Spades) which leads her to sending secret flirty messages (Ten of Spades, Two of Diamonds, Jack of Hearts) probably over the internet. This spread does not show new relationships, it just shows that the querent is already in a relationship.
Here is a quick (and non exhaustive) list of the main health-related meanings of the Vera Sibilla. I almost never accept health readings, and I am in no wise an expert in the field (either medically or ‘cartomantically’). However health issues can come up in general readings or, if serious, even when consulting about something else. Usually you’ll find the card(s) of the organ(s) close to the 4♠ and/or K♣ or K♠, but it’s not always so. I presuppose that those reading this post are well-adjusted adults who know their limits, so I’m not going to spend too much type lecturing you on what you ought or ought not to do. Just be wise.
A♥ – Conversation / Conversazione = throat, mouth, doctor visits
2♥ – House / Casa = the skeleton (but it is also a card of good health, stability, protection)
3♥ – Balcony / Belvedere = the eyes, vertigo
4♥ – Love / Amore = the sexual organs, but also the eyes (especially eyesight issues)
5♥ Happiness / Allegrezza al Cuore = blood circulation, inherited diseases that run in the family, broadly good health and recovery, some say the neck
6♥ Money / Denaro = immune system, past diseases or inherited diseases (if reversed new diseases)
7♥ Scholar / Letterato = mind and brain. Reversed it is also connected with impotence in more than one sense
8♥ Hope / Speranza = kidneys, bladder, liquids, breasts. Reversed also the lymphatic system
9♥ Faithfulness / Fedeltà = good health broadly, but with negative cards or if reversed difficult recovery (the illness is faithful to us), chronic issues, also illnesses from pets and animals, but this is rare
10♥ Perseverance / Costanza = the spine and the back, a tendency to put on weight, long illness
J♥ Boyfriend / Amante = rarely it can indicate the hands
Q♥ Girlfriend / Amatrice = all things feminine, female sexual organs, the scalp and hair
K♥ Gentleman / Gran Signore = all things masculine, male sexual organs, incredible recovery
A♣ Marriage / Imeneo = injections, the male sexual organ, immune system
2♣ The Peacock/Pride / Superbia = beauty, recovery (reversed it is connected with the eyes and with all those attitudes that prevent recovery)
3♣ Journey / Viaggio= movement, muscles, the limbs and the hips
4♣ Friend / Amica = nurses and helpful figures, figuratively the need to seek one or a new one
6♣ Surprise / Consolante Sorpresa = caught diseases (reversed with bad cards can also show utter bodily collapse)
7♣ Gratification / Gran Consolazione = resilience, vitamins and all things that fortify us (reversed a disordered life, anxiety, weakness, depletion)
8♣ Reunion / Riunione = Arms, recovery from illness (reversed also depression, retention, constipation)
9♣ Cheerfulness / Allegria = food, nutrition, drinking, mouth, throat, ears, good health (reversed also excesses, the kidneys, the liver, the bladder)
10♣ Levity / Leggerezza = intestines, glands of all kinds, the respiratory system
J♣ Helper / Domestico = problems (including mental) typical of boys, a male nurse, physical activity
Q♣ Maiden / Giovane Fanciulla = problems (including mental) typical of girls, the skin, a female nurse
K♣ Doctor / Dottore = the GP, the need to get a checkup
A♦ Room / Stanza = convalescence, recovery, visit, a doctor’s surgery, the female sexual organ (reversed it can be the unpleasant discovery of an illness)
2♦ Letter / Lettera = diagnosis, prescriptions, tests, anxiety
3♦ Gift / Omaggio = objects used during surgery and possibly inserted in the body, crystallizations in the body, lymphatic system
6♦ Thought / Pensiero = nervous system, a doctor’s opinion or your opinion on what to do about health
7♦ Child / Bambino = illnesses typical of babies and young kids
8♦ Handmaid / Donna di Servizio = allergies, feet, legs, joints, movement
9♦ Fools / Deliranti = lungs, mental diseases, all double organs, medical oversight
10♦ Thief / Ladro = Stomach, the ingestion of noxious things
J♦ Messenger / Messaggero = usually test tesults
Q♦ Wife / Donna Maritata = diseases typical of women, chronic diseases
K♦ Merchant / Mercante = baldness, physical defects, medical expenses
A♠ Sorrow / Dispiacere = head, the mind, infections (reversed also fertility)
2♠ Old Lady / Vecchia Signora = bones and teeth, problems typical of old people, longevity
3♠ Widower / Vedovo = it’s a serious and complex card, all kinds of deficiencies, serious mental issues, complications, when reversed also abuses of all kinds, harmful conducts, removal of organs or limbs
4♠ Sickness / Ammalato = sickness in general, tiredness, depletion
5♠ Death / Morte = blood, deadly or serious diseases, smoking, toxic substances, self-harm
6♠ Sighs / Sospiri = lungs, bronchi, anxiety, fears, etc. Reversed also the urinary system
8♠ Desperation and Jealousy / Disperato per Gelosia = legs, all problems you cause to yourself, serious mental issues, reversed it can indicate paralysis and accidents
Q♠ Rival / Nemica = removal of organs or body parts (especially when reversed), dangerous diseases that don’t manifest themselves, nasty side effects of medication
They are normally people who are, at the very least, cold toward the querent, and do not further his aims in any way, unless it is through pain (such as in the case of a doctor, or a judge). Sometimes they are openly hostile and will have plans and aims that are opposite to those of the querent. This is a big difference with Diamond figures, for the latters are neutral, and their objectives may or may not align with those of the querent.
With Spade people, however, it is clear that someone is going to try to throw a wrench in our plans. In love readings they are often the third party, and it is important to note that when the rival in love shows up as a Spade, it is very hard for the querent to get rid of them, meaning that usually these people have a serious relationship going on with the querent’s partner. It is not merely a flirt. The same is true in all other aspects of life.
With Spade Face cards, however, it is possible that they represent something other than a real person. The Queen of Spades is a symbol of falsehood, lies, deceit, gossip, slander. The card comes up whenever someone is being less than upfront with us. It also stands for things that are rotten, noxious, overripe, decaying, and it is also associated with lack of acceptance, privation, loss.
The King of Spades is also the card of the law and of all official authority. It can represent the legal system, organized religion and all those structures that are unbending and cold toward the querent, though not necessarily evil. Furthermore, it can represent science, but usually those aspects of science that are less pleasant, such as medicine.
Combinations:
Q♠ + 5♣ + 3♠ = a woman who does everything she can to interfere
Q♠ + 4♣ = lies (even when there’s no woman involved)
Q♠ + J♥ = a bad mother (if with cards of pregnancy, a pregnant woman who doesn’t want the child)
Q♠ + 5♠ + 4♠ = a destitute or desperate woman
A♠ + 6♠ + Q♠ = in a health reading, the removal of a body part
K♠ + 6♠ = a doctor (if Q♠ can be a female doctor, although more rarely. Often the K♠ indicates a doctor regardless of sex)
K♠ + 4♣ = official talks, a court case (again, here the King is the authority, regerdless of sex)
K♠ + 3♣ = official contract, can also be a civil marriage
3♥ + K♠ = a concession from an authority
9♣ + K♠ = it can be a foreign authority if it makes sense, otherwise it may show legal entanglements causing delays
if the Heart figures indicate people that are close to the querent, the Diamond figures show other people, usually unrelated (except when they represent relatives by marriage.)
In general, they can also stand for people who have wealth or power over the querent, although usually not legal power, as would be the case with Spade cards. With Diamonds we deal with money or knowledge, so they are often a boss, a professor, someone knowledgeable, a specialist doctor, etc.
In love readings, they are neutral. They indicate other people influencing the situation. They can also stand for third parties, or, when the querent is the third wheel, the official partners, especially if there is no love between them and the querent’s partner anymore. Broadly, Diamonds don’t love. This doesn’t mean they actively hate, but their primary loyalty is not to their heart. Keep in mind, though, that just because a partner shows up as a Diamond, it doesn’t mean the story is going to end. Plenty of people stay in relationships out of habit or for questions of interest (and interest must be construed broadly. Even children are a question of interest, as they may give some people a reason beyond love to stay together). Also, unlike Spade cards, Diamonds are usually not actively malicious or aggressive, unless they are surrounded by cards that say otherwise.
In material readings the two Diamond figures are more positive, as they signify wealthy people. This is especially good if the querent is looking for a job–the presence of a wealthy person together with appropriate cards, can indicate finding employment, i.e., a wealthy person to work for. Traditionally this is especially true for the King of Diamonds, but nowadays it may happen with the Queen as well.
Even when they don’t represent people (and this is very rare), the two cards stand for wealth: the Queen indicates increase of wealth, and the King indicates the manipulation of wealth, including commerce, banks, financial institutions and similar things.
Psychologically the cards denote a practical mindset, which can become callous materialism with negative cards, or ability to help and find practical solutions with good cards.
Combinations:
Q/K♦ + 9♦ = an influencial man or woman will play an important role
Q/K♦ + 3♣ = a married man or woman (but he or she doesn’t love her partner)
Q/K♦ + A♥ = it can be a wealthy family member or a distant relative, but depending on the context it can also be a landlord/lady, broadly it shows a homeowner
Q/K♦ + 4♦ = if the Face card doesn’t represent a person, it indicates a wealthy deal
A♠ + K/Q♦ = traditionally a divorced person, but take the context into account (if it were Q/K♠, a widow or widower)
